Cabernet Franc
by: Cathy Marston
Image by: Raats Family Wines
Cabernet Franc - the next big thing in SA wine?
Origins and history: – mostly planted in Bordeaux and slightly further north, in the Loire Valley. Often overlooked in favour of the more popular Cabernet Sauvignon but currently enjoying a lot of interest in SA, mostly as a blending partner, but increasingly often on its own as well.
Characteristics: – full-bodied red wines with a distinctive herbal quality to them. Tomato leaves, lead pencils,black fruits, hints of licorice and fynbos.
Famous Wines: – Bourgeuil (Loire Valley, France), Château Cheval Blanc (Bordeaux, often more than 50% Cab Franc)
Good Local Examples: – Raats, Rainbow’s End, Zorgvliet Silver Myn, Cordoba Crescendo
If it was a Person: – Johnny Depp